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Médecins Sans Frontières doctors assist with specialist medical treatment for Gaza war victims


In July 2010, MSF signed an agreement with the Gaza health authorities and opened a reconstructive surgery programme. Several times a year, MSF teams composed of surgeons, operating room nurses and anaesthetists conduct ad hoc missions, during which they work closely with surgeons and hospital teams from Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Our patients have complicated injuries or severe burns that affect the normal use of their limbs. After their surgery, they receive rehabilitation treatment (bandages and physical therapy) in one of MSF's two clinics in Gaza. The objective is to ease their pain, help them to recover adequate mobility and, to the extent possible, reduce the social and psychological impacts of their wounds.

In September 2011, a French hand surgeon joined the MSF programme. Over five days, the joint team operated on 24 patients suffering from the after-effects of burns, hand wounds, skin contracture (axillary, elbows and hands), finger amputations and syndactylism (a congenital malformation characterised by attachment and the partial or complete fusion of two or more fingers or toes).

This kind of joint programme also provides an opportunity for MSF staff and Gaza doctors to exchange and share medical, surgical and anaesthetic techniques, particularly with regard to treating young children. more

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